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Newark, N.Y. —
It arrived in pieces during 1939 and was installed on site. With an exterior and interior of porcelain, its trimmings mahogany and booth seating, as well as counter stools, the Newark Diner is a piece of history — an area icon.
It’s up for sale. Jim McBride, owner for 27 years, says he’s ready to retire.
One of many custom cars famous in the 1920s and 30s, the Sterling Streamliner Diner, as they were called then, is numbered 397 and was manufactured by J.B. Judkins Company of Merrimac, Mass., which formerly was a maker of custom car bodies, but after the Depression, found that need diminished, so switched to the construction of diners.
“There are still several of the diners around,” said John Zornow, local historian, “one is inside Strong Museum in Rochester.
Originally open 24/7, the diner, then owned by and named for Paul Scofield, was extremely busy.
“That was before the Thruway opened and Route 31 was the main thoroughfare east and west,” said Zornow.
The diner sits on a full basement, allowing more room downstairs than up and is still original. Other than an alcove built around the front door, no structural changes have been made.
Privy to a colorful history, in 1993 it was the filming site for an episode of “General Hospital”.
“Through a booking agency, the film company rented it from me,” said McBride. “We were on national television on and off for about a year.”
The icon has also been featured in a lot of books, like “Famous Diners of the Northeast”.
With his wife out because of back operations and his daughter with knee problems, McBride runs the diner by himself.
“I’ve got a lot of things I can’t get caught up on and a cottage I can’t get out to,” he quipped.
As far as buyers go, he’s had mostly interest, but no money to back the interest up.
“I’d like to keep it here operating as a diner,” he said, but may at some point contact historical societies as potential buyers.
Only the third owner, McBride bought the diner from John Reynolds, who operated it for about 10 years.
“I get up every morning and the truck comes down here automatically,” said McBride, who admits retirement will take some getting used to.
A lot of business at the diner is generated by the Canal and Route 31 remains a busy road.
It arrived in pieces during 1939 and was installed on site. With an exterior and interior of porcelain, its trimmings mahogany and booth seating, as well as counter stools, the Newark Diner is a piece of history — an area icon.
It’s up for sale. Jim McBride, owner for 27 years, says he’s ready to retire.
One of many custom cars famous in the 1920s and 30s, the Sterling Streamliner Diner, as they were called then, is numbered 397 and was manufactured by J.B. Judkins Company of Merrimac, Mass., which formerly was a maker of custom car bodies, but after the Depression, found that need diminished, so switched to the construction of diners.
“There are still several of the diners around,” said John Zornow, local historian, “one is inside Strong Museum in Rochester.
Originally open 24/7, the diner, then owned by and named for Paul Scofield, was extremely busy.
“That was before the Thruway opened and Route 31 was the main thoroughfare east and west,” said Zornow.
The diner sits on a full basement, allowing more room downstairs than up and is still original. Other than an alcove built around the front door, no structural changes have been made.
Privy to a colorful history, in 1993 it was the filming site for an episode of “General Hospital”.
“Through a booking agency, the film company rented it from me,” said McBride. “We were on national television on and off for about a year.”
The icon has also been featured in a lot of books, like “Famous Diners of the Northeast”.
With his wife out because of back operations and his daughter with knee problems, McBride runs the diner by himself.
“I’ve got a lot of things I can’t get caught up on and a cottage I can’t get out to,” he quipped.
As far as buyers go, he’s had mostly interest, but no money to back the interest up.
“I’d like to keep it here operating as a diner,” he said, but may at some point contact historical societies as potential buyers.
Only the third owner, McBride bought the diner from John Reynolds, who operated it for about 10 years.
“I get up every morning and the truck comes down here automatically,” said McBride, who admits retirement will take some getting used to.
A lot of business at the diner is generated by the Canal and Route 31 remains a busy road.
